Ruth M. Gillette

A funeral service for Ruth M. Gillette will be held on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Lakeside Fellowship in Alma, Nebraska with Pastor Michael Bell officiating. Interment will follow at the Alma Cemetery.

Ruth Mae Gillette, 97 years of age, of Alma, formerly Republican City, Nebraska, passed away on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at Good Samaritan Society - St. John's in Kearney, Nebraska. Ruth was born November 18, 1926, in rural Alma, the youngest of 5 children born to William Elmer and Nina Edra (Weliver) Gregory. She received her primary education from Alma Public Schools. She was baptized at the First Christian Church in Alma in 1942. After both of her parents passed away, Ruth lived with her sisters in Alma and graduated from Alma High School with the class of 1947. Following her education, she worked at the Alma Drug Store, where she resided above the store, and then worked at the Harlan County Courthouse Extension office.

On November 14, 1948, she was united in marriage to Samuel Hudson Gillette at the United Methodist Church in Alma and they were blessed with 3 children: Gregory Allen, Eugene Marvin, and Mary Joan. The family made their home in Alma, where Ruth was employed at Coast-To-Coast and after their opening, worked at Becton Dickson in Holdrege. In 1969, the family moved to North Platte, Nebraska, where Ruth worked for Electro Lux and then Urban Renewal, until her retirement in 1986.

Following retirement, the couple enjoyed golfing, spending their winters in Phoenix, Arizona, and the summers in Alma.

She was a longtime Alma United Methodist Church member, the American Legion Auxiliary, and Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 88 in Alma and North Platte.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Sam; one daughter-in-law Elizabeth Gillette; two sisters: Cecilia (George) Lincoln; and Erma (Dean) Ulmer; two brothers: Lloyd (Jesse) Gregory; and Jack (Betty) Gregory; three brothers-in-law: Charles "Chuck" (Norma) Gillette; Eugene "Gene" Gillette; and John (Virginia) Gillette; two sisters-in-law: Mary Jane (George) Postlewaite; and Julia (Theodore "Ted") Mattley.

She leaves to celebrate her life her three children: Gregory Gillette of Phoenix, Arizona; Eugene Gillette of Alma; and Mary Gillette of Alma; three grandchildren: Cynthia (Dan) Hewson; Charles Gillette; and Alexander (Maria) Gillette all of Phoenix; four great-grandchildren: Macy and Mia Riggins; Samuel Hewson; and Xavier Gillette; along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma, Nebraska, with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in Ruth's honor, and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma handles the arrangements.